July 24, 2008

The book of Job shows so much about our dependency for God. We forget that God is our only key to life (literally) we wouldn’t be able to survive without him. God’s hands are an example of is might and power. First, God’s hands shaped and made you -job 10:8– We hear and read that that God made us all the time in the Bible, but its so important to remember because if he didn’t make us, we wouldnt exist, and we couldn’t do anything to change it. It would also be pretty hard to TRUST God with our life, if another thing happened to make us. God’s hands make our hands look pretty useless; we can only do so much with them (write, cook, paint etc.). This verse in Job also says, “In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of allmankind.” job 10:12 Without God we wouldn’t have breath! We need to recognize our need for God. With his hand we were created, and with God’s hand, he gives us our life. I dont want to forget my need for him. Instead i want to be able to lay my life in God’s hands, and humble myself to my creater, provider, and father!

July 21, 2008

Lately a lot of poverty, love, neighborhood work- a lot of that has come into my life. I love it when God gives me all of these connections- I’ve gotten it through songs, the missions trip, verses, school, so much! It is so amazing when God connects all of these lessons.

Like this past year the Parable of the Talents popped up everywhere in a couple of weeks. Mr. Gregg shared it at least twice, in family worship once. Anna Simons shared it in Creative Expressions Night. There was a sermon on it at church. It was in a lot of places.

The Parable of
the Talents

Matt 25:14-30 “For it is like a man, going into another country, who called his own servants, and entrusted his goods to them. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his own ability. Then he went on his journey. Immediately he who received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. In like manner he also who got the two gained another two. But he who received the one went away and dug in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. “Now after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reconciled accounts with them. He who received the five talents came and brought another five talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents. Behold, I have gained another five talents besides them.’ “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ “He also who got the two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents. Behold, I have gained another two talents besides them.’ “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ “He also who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you that you are a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter. I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the earth. Behold, you have what is yours.’ “But his lord answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant. You knew that I reap where I didn’t sow, and gather where I didn’t scatter. You ought therefore to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back my own with interest. Take away therefore the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will be given, and he will have abundance, but from him who has not, even that which he has will be taken away. Throw out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”

July 18, 2008

The poverty i saw really struck me too, and it made me feel no hope for the kids i saw and worked with. Most of them didnt have a lot of food, stable parents, or a good home. They all needed a place to go where they would feel loved, cared, for and needed. As i worked with some of them i saw that they were very open to affection, singing praise/worship songs, or asking questions. They didnt act like spoiled little kids who just take and whine. Instead, they were thankful. I realized that there is hope for them, because they are needy and they’re coming to a place where Jesus is at the center, and so He can work through their lives by other christians there. I believe this because i saw a verse that said this: Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh! luke 6:20-22. Because they are poor they will want to follow God, unlike the rich who are filled with earthly pleasures and money and have no desire for God. They have real, everlasting treasure that most rich people will never get. So its WAY BETTER to be needy on Earth because you’ll recieve eternal blessing. I am also praying for the kids because as they go through pain and are in need, and i just want them to follow Jesus so they wont be in the darkness.

July 18, 2008

Anna, Abby, and I went on a missions trip this week. It was really fun and exciting, yet extremely hard. The first day we went on a poverty scavenger hunt in Minneapolis. It was exciting, but sad. The poverty I saw overwhelmed me and touched my heart.

I went back to work by cleaning with my ministry group (which Abby and Anna were not part of) and had basically a frustrating time. I was reminded how God gives me patience and strength to do all things.

Every night we had a “Club Time” or a worship with a sort of mini- message. Those times really stuck out to me. God seemed so much bigger inside of the music. It was so real and special.

We all worked very hard and our class is a lot closer now, but I will remember the poverty. We should be serving and loving so many more people. Let’s do it! 🙂

July 17, 2008

I’ve had a lot of interesting thoughts lately that I think would make a good post. I would really like to get this blog off the ground and actually do some blogging! I’m going to go work on an article or compilation of thoughts on paper, and will hopefully get back and post it sometime in the near future.